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Che Revival at Kengtung 


BY REV. W. M. YOUNG 


| HE widespread movement among the hill tribes of 
RNAV northeastern Burma and the borders of China 
seems to be gathering momentum with the passing 
months, and already is recognized as one of almost 
unparalleled significance in modern missionary 
experience. Such are the demands upon the time 
and strength of the workers that they find it 
well nigh impossible to send adequate reports of 
what is going on. The accompanying letter from Rev. W. M. Young, 
however, is a stirring supplement to the leaflet entitled “Cutting the 
Cords,” and furnishes abundant cause for praise to God, increased 
earnestness in prayer, and generous contributions, that the reenforce- 
ments for this white harvest field may be suitably sustained. 


EVANGELISTIC TOURING 


Karly in the year (1905) I sent three men north into China and the 
Wa country on an evangelistic tour, and to gather fuller information 
regarding the Was and the Muhsos in China. A little later, two men 
went on a long tour to the extreme southwestern part of this state 
and into the adjoining Shan State, whence they were to return along 
the southern boundary of Kengtung. About the same time a large 
group of Kwes came in from the east, representing a number of 
villages in that direction. When they returned, our strongest native 
helper went with them and made a tour of six weeks among their 
villages. 


A SOUL STIRRING REPORT 


The last day of March, a part of the group sent to the north 
returned, and a day later the remainder of the party, accompanied by 
a large delegation from the districts they had visited. Their report of 
the great open door in the Wa country was the most soul stirring of 
anything in the history of the work here. If true, it will constitute 
one of the marvels of modern missions. The Was have been known 
as the wildest tribe of Burma and southwest China. About three years 


ago one of their number who had traveled considerably and who had 
heartily accepted the Muhso traditions with which he had become 
familiar went back to his own people, to whom he became a sort of 
prophet. The result is that many thousands who were “head hunters” 
a few years ago, have now given up that practise and are in the same 
attitude as the Muhsos, intensely longing for the foreigner who shall 
bring them the knowledge of the true God. They seem very much in 
earnest. The leader has sent several delegations to Kenegtung, a dis- 
tance of over twenty days’ journey, to learn more of’ the truth. He 
has also sent presents of ponies, with the earnest request that we 
visit his people at once; or, in case we cannot come so far now, that 
we come about half-way, and hundreds will meet us there. It is 
impossible this year, but early next year we hope to go and take other 
missionaries with us. 


HUNDREDS OF VISITORS 


The men who had gone to the southwest returned after six weeks, 
with a most encouraging report of the vast field open there. Mr. 
Ba Te* also came back from a six weeks’ tour to the east, with a 
similar story. On the next day a group of 155 Kwes, whom Mr. 
Ba Te had gathered on his tour, arrived on our compound. Groups 
from all sections of the state and from over into China kept coming 
for days. We had as many as 500 on the compound at once, some 
of whom had been traveling nearly a month. Often two groups would 
arrive at the same moment, one from the northwest, and another from 
the south. We held preaching services morning, afternoon and even- 
ing; generally two services at once, one for those who had been baptized 
and one for those who had not. That, with the examination of candi- 
dates, regular preaching in the bazar for Shans and the medical and 
school work, made the station a center of ceaseless activity. The 
crowds continued to come till the middle of May, when the heavy rains 
made travel too difficult. The result is that 1636 have been baptized 
up to the present date. Groups have gone all over the state and far 
over into China on evangelistic tours. The door is open wide and the 
‘all comes from every section, “Come over and help us.” 

*Mr. Ba Te, formerly a strong helper in the mission at Bassein, went with Mr. Young 
to Kengtung two years ago, and has assisted in whatever school work has been done 


and in the training of native workers. He was once a lawyer and received much 
larger compensation than he now has as a mission helper. 


STRENGTHENING THE STAKES 


During the rains attention will be directed largely to school work 
and the training of native evangelists. We have opened an outstation, 
five miles away, for special work among the northern and western 
Shans, and a small chapel has been erected, together with a good house 
for native helpers. The move is of great importance to the work on 
the plain. The school work for the hill people is very encouraging, 
and we expect an attendance of 100 very soon. 

Many adults are studying with a view to active Christian work. 
We have just received assurance that a group of government buildings, 
ten miles northwest from our compound, which have been used as a 
sanitarium, will be given to the mission. A number of brick buildings 
are included, and the location at an elevation of 5,000 or 6,000 feet 
affords a splendid change of climate. We shall soon remove the 
school there. We hope to start another school in the city, for the 
benefit of Shans and Burmans. The hand of Providence has been clearly 
seen in this work all along. 


LONG LOST BRETHREN FOUND 


We now know with certainty that these people are closely allied 
to the Karens. Their traditions supplement those of the Karens, who 
have clear traditions of their brethren who were left behind, and whom 
they have longed to see for many years. The Muhsos have clear 
traditions that their brethren, the Karens, have gone to the south, 
and also a prophecy that they will return. They seem satisfied that 
the coming of the Karen preachers with the gospel is the fulfilment 
of this prophecy. The Karen workers are unanimously agreed that 
the Muhsos correspond closely to the Sgaw Karens; the Kwes to the 
Pwo Karens; and the Kaws to the Red Karens. The Karen Christians, 
delighted to hear that their long lost brethren are receiving the gospel, 
are rallying nobly to the support of this work. It will greatly increase 
their liberality, stir up their missionary zeal and prove a great blessing 
to the native Christians of Burma. Truly God moves in a “mysterious 
way,’ but there is no longer a doubt that this movement is of the 
Lord, and that the hill people of Kengtung and southwest China are 
coming to us to receive the gospel. 


Sample Copies Free; 20 cents per Hundred 
511-3 Ed.-25M-3-06. 


